The quest to identify all the props from David Lynch and Mark Frost’s wonderful and strange show Twin Peaks continues with a unique offering originally posted by Executive Producer Sabrina Sutherland. She through out a challenge to identify a whisky bottle from the archive. As it turns out, the breakaway glass bottle prop appears in my favorite David Lynch film, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me, during a moment originally discussed in the show’s first season.
SABRINA SUTHERLAND’S FACEBOOK CHALLENGE TO IDENTIFY A BOTTLE
On September 3, 2024, Sabrina posted an image with a bottle and asked “hardcore David Lynch Fans” where the breakaway bottle showed up in a David Lynch film or video. She said there was also a broken bottle so the scene was shot and used. The bottle in the image was “luckily saved for the archive.”
The bottle was a breakaway glass bottle meaning that it would easily be destroyed when it hit someone or something. There was only one scene that came to mind – Leland Palmer hitting Jacques Renault outside his cabin in Lynch’s 1992 film. I didn’t immediately see her post, so I wasn’t first to answer. But I quickly found the scene in question.
A frame-by-frame analysis revealed Leland holding a similar-looking bottle after Jacques hit the ground.
She edited her post identifying the fellow “hardcore David Lynch” who were first to answer correctly (Hallvard Fagerland), first to identify the scene (Keaton Broncucia) and first to prove with a photo (that’s me). What a fun game to play!
BREAKAWAY BOTTLE PROP
Conducting a quick image search via Google, I was lead to Alfonso’s Breakaway Glass located in Sun Valley, California. This family run business opened around 1986 and is the premiere breakaway glass manufacturer. Their products have been featured in countless films and television episodes.
Contrary to popular believe, breakaway glass is not made of sugar. In their Frequently Asked Questions, they company said people can “chew on [the breakaway glass] but not swallow it.” The glass bottle can hold room temperature liquid. It can cut actors but it’s safer than using real glass.
The offer several different bottles but the one pictured above looked similar to the on-screen prop. It’s difficult to say if Alfonso’s supplied the actual bottle as I don’t have a purchase order or receipt. My gut tells me, however, that they most likely made it.
The bottle’s label is reminiscent of a 1920s label by Corby’s Canadian Whisky. According to a Worthpoint listing, Corby’s from Canada was created more than 165 years ago.
“Henry Corby erected a tiny distillery in 1859 at his mills at Corbyville near Belleville, Ontario. In 1906, Corby sold his interests to the Henry Corby Co. under Mortimer (later Sir Mortimer) Davis. The old factory was destroyed by fire in 1907 and a new one was built and later incorporated with a commercial alcohol venture of Mortimer Davis under the title of Consolidated Ltd. of Montreal with a plant at Corbyville.”
THE WHISKY BOTTLE MENTIONED IN TWIN PEAKS EPISODE 1.007
The whisky bottle is a nice nod to a scene first mentioned in the Twin Peaks season one finale.
After being shot, Jacque Renault discusses the night Laura Palmer died with Special Agent Dale Cooper and Sheriff Harry Truman.
“Bastard, he hit me with a whisky bottle,” recalls Renault while laying in his bed at Calhoun Memorial Hospital. The “bastard” in question was Leo Johnson. Granted, Jacques’s story is different than what was shown in the feature film. He remembers Leo hitting him with the bottle, not Leland Palmer.
APPEARANCE IN TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME
Ronette Pulaski is the first to be seen holding the whisky bottle while Leo Johnson, Laura Palmer, Jacques Renault and her “party” in Jacques’ cabin.
The top of the bottle is out of focus as the camera gets a shot of Leo and Laura.
Ronette is also seen drinking from the bottle at one point during the gathering.
The August 8, 1991 script by David Lynch and Robert Engles mentions the bottle. Most likely this scene was shot and it could explain why Jacques was holding the bottle as he leaves the cabin. It also would have connected directly to Jacques store from episode 1.007 about that night.
Laura continues to scream. Leo gets up and goes for the bottle of bourbon. He takes a swig and then steps back to Jacques and Laura.
LEO
(referring to Laura)
Let me have a little of that.
JACQUES
(pointing at the bourbon)
Let me have a little of that, baby.
Leo hold the bottle tight. Jacques stands up and decks Leo with his big French Canadian paw. He grabs the spinning bottle from the floor and stumbles outside.
After Leland Palmer shows up, Jacques takes the bottle to see the commotion outside his cabin. The script describes the action we see on screen.
EXT. JACQUES’ CABIN – NIGHT
When Jacques comes out of the cabin, Leland trips him, grabs the bottle and breaks it over Jacques head, knocking him out cold.
Leland trips Jacques who is still holding the bottle in the cabin’s doorway.
Jacques hits the ground still holding the bottle. Some liquid is seen leaving the bottle (most likely room temperature).
Leland grabs the bottle and hits Jacques over the head. Liquid flies every where as Jacques is knocked out cold.
Pieces of “glass” are near Jacques’ head. The square item next to his body is most likely the bottle label (notice the red diagonal lettering that looks similar to Sabrina’s prop image).
This was an unexpected find from Sabrina. I’m grateful she saved and shared this item as it’s one more piece of the puzzle that is my obsession.
